Unsure about current career path: next steps?

Just to make it clear from the beginning, I’m in EMEA, 5th year master’s student (econ) and in somewhat of a ”target” university in my country. Interned in strategy consulting in the past.

My current position is at a young but quickly growing green energy private equity firm, which manages a few BEUR in assets (I’m an analyst, joined last year).

I’m sufficiently happy with the job: smart and friendly colleagues, the deal process is engaging and international + there’s no micromanagement, which I enjoy. The downsides are pay relative to hours, uncertainty about desirable career progression, and to some extent, prestige. At the moment I make about 55k a year with a bonus of 20-50%, hours are 50-70 pw, possibly more if I'm working on closing a deal. I also have to do a bunch of asset/portfolio management related reporting, which is somewhat annoying.

I took this job to get my foot in the door and to learn more about transactions + financial modelling. During that time I also had interviews for a generalist PE firm, an IB and Goldman Sachs ER, but I took this position because it was the first one to make an offer (couldn’t risk it).

I’m quite worried that I’m pigeon-holing my career since the assets that we’re dealing with are quite specific. I already feel like I’m doing the same type of model over and over. If I wanted to jump ship to a more high-paying job, which route would be the most feasible one? IB Energy groups? MF PE renewables/energy groups? Even MBB? I would be curious to hear any thoughts and discuss in terms of exit opps/next steps and potential companies. How could I leverage my experience most efficiently? Thanks!

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